There has been much discussion in the news media over the last several weeks concerning ''Muslim extremism.'' The term is bandied about so frequently that one gets the feeling the two words are synonymous. Yes, Osama bin Laden and his loathsome al-Qaida minions invoke the name of Allah when they perpetrate their crimes, but, as was pointed out in a fine opinion piece by Justin Rubner (Oct. 21 Forum in the Athens Banner-Herald), the terrorists' attacks are a distortion of Islam.

The propensity of the popular media to label the terrorists as ''Muslim extremists,'' ''Islamic fanatics,'' etc. actually plays into their hands -- the terrorists want their deeds to be associated with the Islamic faith, thus giving the impression that the West's fight is with Islam itself, instead of with the perpetrators and supporters of international terrorism. The ubiquitous use of these terms only gives credence to bin Laden's claims that this is a religious war. While such a notion is patently preposterous in American minds, it does resonate with a portion of Muslim populaces in some underdeveloped Mideast and Asian countries, especially where there is no free press, where poverty and despair makes a breeding ground of bitterness and hatred.

Other, far bloodier, miscreants never have had a religious prefix attached to them by our news media, even though religion played a key role in their wielding of power. For example, Adolf Hitler invoked the name of God to justify his murderous deeds, riling up German Christians against Jews and launching a program of genocidal proportions. Both before and during World War II, Japan's leaders twisted the ancient religion of Shinto to serve their own ends, enshrining as ''gods'' military personnel who died in the service of Emperor Hirohito (who himself was considered a living deity by the populace). Yet wartime news accounts in the U.S. never referred to Germany's ''Christian fanatics,'' or Japan's ''Shinto extremists.''

Framing the terrorists' deeds in the context of their (so-called) religious beliefs not only plays into the hands of bin Laden and his ilk, but also does a grave disservice to the 99 percent of Muslims who reject both the horrific deeds of Sept. 11 and the version of Islam practiced by al-Qaida and the Taliban. Muslims who have access to education and a free press know all too well that the Taliban condemns as infidels any Muslims who do not adhere to its rigid ideal of the faith. The Taliban, mostly belonging to the Sunni sect of Islam, have been implicated in many mass executions of thousands of people throughout Afghanistan over the last few years -- a butchery of fellow Muslims, especially those of the rival Shia sect.

Mr. Rubner described in his column how he was disturbed by the oppressive atmosphere he encountered in a nominally ''moderate'' Islamic state, Saudi Arabia, during his military posting there. He was especially upset at the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia -- as well he should be, since they have few legal and civil rights there. The puritanical form of Islam, known as Wahabi, is officially endorsed by the ruling al-Saud family -- and the Wahabis have a tangible relationship with the Taliban (a story for another day). But Mr. Rubner should take heart -- even in Saudi Arabia, there is no popular support for such an extreme version of Islam. As the London Economist pointed out in last week's issue, ''Only a small minority of Saudi Arabia's 20 million or so people are Wahabis, and most of those who are not, long for release from the Wahabi stranglehold.''

A better model of a ''moderate'' Islamic state to take lessons from would be Malaysia. Although the government there recognizes Islam as the official religion of Malaysia, much tolerance and respect is granted to other faiths in the country. Malaysia has large populations of ethnic Chinese and Indians, who freely and openly practice Buddhism, Hinduism and other religions. I speak from personal experience here, having traveled to Malaysia just last year. A friendlier and more hospitable people could not be imagined. More than once I was welcomed into people's homes at mealtime and afforded every courtesy possible -- me, an American, a Christian, an infidel.

So now, a memo to America's news media: Stop injecting religion into your coverage of terrorist atrocities. You only give the likes of bin Laden exactly what they want: an imprimatur of moral authority in certain parts of the Muslim world. Forget ''Muslim extremist'' and ''Islamic fanatic.'' Just call them what they are -- criminal mass murderers.

Garry Moon, an Athens resident, works in corporate marketing for a national travel agency. He can be reached at by e-mail at garrym@beer.com